The Order of Bible Books for the Layman
I’m surprised how little, many “educated” people know about The Bible’s 66 books which is God speaking to us. The order of Bible books seems confusing. But where does one start to introduce His organized words to someone who has no knowledge of the oldest, most reliable historical account ever written.
Separated into Old and New Testaments, each is further divided by names into “Books” as listed below. To find passages easily, each book is split into “Chapters,” then further subdivided into short phrases or “Verses” – numbered sequentially. A scripture lookup may look like Gen 1:11 (Book with its name abbreviated, then chapter, and finally verse).
Old Testament Division
Has 39 books and completed by 125 B.C. by the Jews
The Pentateuch
Genesis – Origin – Abraham; Flood; 12 Tribe Names
Exodus – Out of Egypt to Israel; Moses; Miracles
Leviticus – Holiness; Offerings; Laws; Foods
Numbers – Counting Tribes; Years in the Wilderness
Deuteronomy – 10 Commandments; Chap 28 “The Blessings and the Curses”; 29:29
The Historical Books
Joshua – Reclaiming God’s Land; Be Strong/Courage
Judges – Israel’s rulers before Kings; Gideon; Samson
Ruth – Loyalty, Redeeming a relative
1 Samuel – 1st king – Saul (David)
2 Samuel – 2nd king – David and his deeds; Goliath
1 Kings – 3rd king – Solomon; Split kingdom; Elijah
2 Kings – Elisha; Fall of Israel & Judah
1 Chronicles – Genealogy; King David
2 Chronicles – From King Solomon to the Captivity
Ezra – Israel’s return to Jerusalem
Nehemiah – Rebuilding Jerusalem
Esther – Haman’s attempt to exterminate all Israelites
The Poetic & Wisdom Books
Job – the oldest book; Satan against Job
Psalms – Author, David; Praise (118 times); 150 chapters; Center of Bible 118:8 (594 chapters before and after); Key chapters – 1st, 23rd, 91st, longest 119, shortest 117
Proverbs – Author Solomon; 31 chapters – 1 for each day of month; Wisdom
Ecclesiastes – Author Solomon; Man’s reasoning
Song of Solomon – God’s love for mankind
The Major Prophets
Isaiah– Predicts Christ’s Coming 700 yrs early; Describes Christ 9, 11, 32, 42, 52-5; Satan 14:12-23
Jeremiah – Warning of Judgment; 29:11-13
Lamentations – Mourning for Jerusalem
Ezekiel – Visions & words of God
Daniel – Captivity; Heroic acts; Vision of the future
The Minor Prophets (short books)
Hosea – Redeeming Love – Key verses 2:23; 4:6
Joel – Day of the Lord; Holy Spirit 2:28-29
Amos – Judgment of sin
Obadiah – Doom of Edom
Jonah – God’s mercy & 1st revival
Micah – Judgment & Kingdom, 6:8
Nahum – Nineveh’s doom
Habakkuk – Doubt to Faith; 2:2-3
Zephaniah – Day of the Lord
Haggai – Rebuilding Temple in Jerusalem
Zechariah – Messiah’s coming, 1:3-4, 4:6, 8:8
Malachi – Formalism rebuked; Last time God spoke to Israel (400 yrs before Christ).; Prospering 3:7-12
NEW TESTAMENT
Has 27 books and completed by 125 A.D.
The Gospels (Good News)
Matthew – Christ the king/God with us – birth to death
Mark – Christ the Servant
Luke – Christ the Man – birth to death
John – Christ in His deity, 14-15
Acts (of the Apostles) & The Holy Spirit ; Author – Luke; Spread of Gospel, Miracles, Birth and Organization of the Church
Paul’s Letters (Epistles)
Romans – Roman Road – 3:23, 6:23, 5:6 & 8; 10:9,11,13; Key verses – 8:1-2,28,32,35-39
1 Corinthians – Love 13; Gifts 12; Prophecy 14
2 Corinthians – Paul’s authority; 5:17; 9:5-8
Galatians – Salvation by grace; 3:13-13,26-29; 6:7; Fruit of the Spirit 5:22-23
Ephesians – Grace 1-3 and believer’s walk 4-6; Armor of God 6:11-18
Philippians – 1:6; 2:8-9; 3:20; 4:4-7, 8, 13, 19
Colossians – Christ (by and in Him/whom); 3:11
1 Thessalonians – Christ’s Return
2 Thessalonians – Day of the Lord
1 Timothy – Keeping Church in order; 2:8
2 Timothy – Fear 1:7; Bible is God breathed 3:16-17
Titus – Keeping Church in order
Philemon – Home Church; Escaped slave
Hebrews – Explaining Christ to Hebrews; Faith – 11
General Epistles (letters)
James – Author is Jesus’ brother; 1:5-8, 17, 27
1 Peter – 2:9, 23-24; Marriage 3; Service 5:1-9
2 Peter – 1:16, 18, 20-21; 1:5-11; 3:9
1 John – You are forgiven 1:9; Love 4; 5:14-15
2 John – Warning 10; Woman pastor 5, 13
3 John – Walk in truth; Verse 2
Jude – Jesus’ brother; Contend for what you believe
(The) Revelation (of Jesus Christ) Author: John; Unfolding of Future Events (some already transpired); 2nd Coming of Christ; Description of Heaven & Hell
This order of Bible books is meant to be used as an addendum to a Bible to help familarize Christians with the Bible’s books and their order.
